Some bronies say they got hooked on the high-quality animation. Others felt they identified with the four-legged stars that flaunt luxurious, pony-tail like manes. "The characters aren't one-dimensional," said 15-year-old Christian Leisner, a brony in the Berkeley group. "They have flaws, they have backgrounds they're ashamed of."

Bronies—a mash-up of "bro" and "ponies"—established a quarterly New York convention, called BroNYCon, this year. They've spawned at least two Pony-themed websites and enjoy a thriving subculture of artists whose creations include Pony-inspired music and their own writings about Twilight Sparkle and the gang.

I realize that some people might say, “Give these guys a break, Matt. Who are you to judge what brings them happiness? These guys have found something they love and enjoy, and they’re not hurting anyone. Let them be.”

Yeah, that sounds nice, but they’re watching My Little Pony. I have to draw the line somewhere on polite, detached acceptance, and the brony subculture is it.